His words were like a drug. They sent a thrill through her. Intoxicated her. Numbed her to good reason.
Allyson knew she should tell him. Let him know that his mother wanted to bribe her to dump him. When Liliana had offered to pay her millions to divorce Dane, she’d never been more shocked in her entire life. Liliana was willing to protect the Prescott’s multi-billion-dollar empire at an exorbitant cost. When Allyson heard the amount Dane’s mother offered, she nearly fainted. It was the kind of sum someone like her could retire on. If she was the kind of unscrupulous gold-digger Liliana believed she was she’d have taken the money and run, even if that divorce Liliana wanted would end up being a total fake.
But she’d never do such a thing. She didn’t come from a family of blue bloods, but she had pride and morals. Taking advantage of Dane and his family was unthinkable. Which was why she wanted to end this now. Keeping up this sham marriage for a contract negotiation seemed so wrong.
“You won’t fall apart without me,” she said finally. “You were fine before I started working for you.”
“Hardly.” Dane snorted. “I had only just become Prescott’s CEO when you first came aboard. The assistant I had before you was lousy, and it affected my work. My work, in turn, affected everyone else’s. But you and I make a good team—a great team.”
They did work well together, and the thought of never working with him again made her heart ache. Prescott Global was also a great company to work for. It might not have been impressive to her parents, but she enjoyed working there.
However, this weekend had complicated things in a way she’d never seen coming.
“Honesty is always the best policy,” she pointed out.
“And we’ll tell them,” he said. “After next week’s gala.”
She gasped. “Are you serious? We can’t keep this up for another week.”
“Why not?”
“Your mother isn’t going to like it.” She stopped walking to look at him.
He stopped in his tracks and stared back. “She isn’t going to like that I’ve lied. But I’ll get your contract renewed this week and we’ll keep up the charade for Mother’s benefit. The Handels will be at the gala, and if you and I charm them we can secure a deal next week. My mother will be so over the moon she won’t care about the lie. Hell, she might think the whole scheme was a stroke of genius.”
She mulled that over. It might end up being the best solution for everyone involved, considering the circumstances. “What if the press discovers the truth before then? Then what do we do?”
“It’s a risk we’ll have to take,” he replied. “Do you think your family can keep quiet for another week?”
She nodded. “I think so. They were really excited about all those frequent flyer miles and holiday packages you promised to get them. Plus, you promised them all that stuff only if the story stayed a secret. They’ll stay quiet until they get their reward.”
“And the staff at the Lodge and the Barn have been promised future business from me. Based on experience, the staff at the Greenville Lodge is incredibly discreet. We might be able to keep this going for another week.” He shoved his hands into his pockets, lost in thought. “I’ve been keeping an eye on the press. A few tabloid reporters have messaged me, asking about wedding details, but so far they don’t seem to have caught on to the truth yet.”
Allyson sighed. “Things have gotten so complicated so fast.”
“I know. But this’ll soon all be over, and I’ll have negotiated a better contract for you. Think of all the perks you’ll get after this blows over.”
“It wouldn’t hurt to have a bigger salary.” She laughed “And a few days a month to work from home might be good.”
“Can I come, too?” He grinned. “Okay. Point taken. More money. More free time. We can go over the details once we’re back in the house.”
“Thank you,” she breathed, “for everything you’ve done for me.”
“No problem. You deserve it.” He began walking again and when she followed, he asked, “So, what else did my mother say to you?”
She inhaled sharply. The payoff. His mother was willing to spend millions to keep a woman away from him. Which meant Liliana was capable of doing so much worse, and maybe already had. Telling him might make an absolute mess of his plans. After seeing him defend her honor with her family, she knew what a hot-head he could be.
“I know she can be intimidating,” he continued. “But everything she does is to protect her family. She’s not a bad person. In fact, she typically means well. Once we’ve charmed the Handels, you’ll be her new favorite person.”
It was evident that Dane adored his parents. No matter how they pressured him, he still managed to have a good relationship with them. Unlike her and her family. Destroying something pure like that wasn’t fair. He was risking so much for her job. She had to protect him now, no matter the cost.
“That’s all she said,” Allyson said smoothly, the lie twisting her insides into knots. “I think she’s just surprised you didn’t choose one of your blonde heiresses.”
“Surprised or disappointed. I know my mother. She can be tough. And for the record, those heiresses are more my mother’s doing than anything else.”
She raised an eyebrow, suddenly intrigued. “What do you mean?”
“My mother sets me up with them,” he replied with a shrug.
She frowned. “But I thought you said dating them was good for business.”
“My parents seem to think so,” he said stiffly. “I may be an adult, but I’m just a pawn in their business games, too. Plus, it’s easier to date this way. It’s tough to meet anyone when I’m so busy, so I let my mother do all the choosing. That’s probably why things don’t get serious with the women I date. All we have in common is that we’re from wealthy families, but outside of that we’re almost always incompatible.”
His confession surprised her. She had always thought he went for all those gorgeous, slender, rich women because those were the types of women he was genuinely interested in. But if that was all his mother’s doing…no. She didn’t dare hope. Even if all his relationships were set up by Liliana, those women understood Dane’s world in a way she never could. It was so obvious she was out of her depth, with Dane’s mother insisting she train her for the gala next week. “Well, at least that way you’ll know they’re not after you for your money.”
He chuckled. “Actually, I’m convinced rich people can be awfully obsessed with money. I mean, none of the heiresses are going to end up marrying the chauffer.”
“I see. Is money one of the things you look for when you’re dating?” She blurted the question before she had the good sense to stop herself. It was a very forward question to be asking her boss. Even more forward considering that the anticipation of his answer made her heart catch.
“No, but it’s what Mother looks for.”
“I’d ask why you didn’t try looking for a partner on your own, but I’ve been doing that since college and I’m still single.” She sighed.
“I guess finding the right person is hard no matter how you do it.”
“It is. But maybe having your mother’s input is a good thing when it comes to making a marriage deal.”
“It’s not a business transaction,” he said, aghast, but even in the dim light of the moon she saw amusement flash in his eyes.
She bit her lip. “No, but marriage is for life. It’s an institution where you live under one roof, maybe even have kids. It’s so much more important than business.”
“That sounds so mercenary.” He shook his head. “First you tell me about those cheap dates, now this…Allyson, it sounds to me like you need a little romance in your life.”
“I…” What could she say?
He reached for her hand, a mischievous smile on his face. “I know the first thing I’m going to teach you tomorrow to prepare for the gala.”
“What?”
Dane took her into his arms and began to waltz her across the sand. She laughed. Ocean water lapped at her feet. Soft sand made her feel like she was dancing on air with him. He spun her around slowly a few times until he was behind her with his arms around her waist. She was facing away from him, her eyes on the sea all silvery under the moonlight. Above them, stars glittered in the heavens. It was the most exquisite, romantic moment of her life.
“How to dance,” he whispered into her ear.
His warm breath tickled her neck. Then, the delicious pressure of his lips on her neck make her tremble. She never wanted this moment to end. Being here alone with Dane heightened her senses. Made her delirious with desire.
She closed her eyes, searching for the courage she needed to ask for what she wanted. “Dane,” she finally said breathlessly, “take me to our bedroom. Now.”